Dear friends, CYCLING ACROSS WALES FOR GAZA As you may know, back in January I wrote and directed GO TO GAZA, DRINK THE SEA, in tandem with Gazan writer Ahmed Masoud, in immediate response to the carnage in Gaza. A multi-media theatre piece about the courage, dignity and suffering of the people of Gaza, combining dramatised episodes drawn from the ordeals of Ahmed's family and community in Gaza, verbatim reenactments of news stories, live Palestinian music performed by acclaimed oud-player and singer Nizar Al-Issa, Palestinian dance, film sequences, all set against a stunning site-specific installation, created by renowned Scottish artist Jane Frere. See www.gotogaza.wordpress.com. This production was supported by Amos Trust, Jews For Justice For Palestinians, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Interpal, to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, express solidarity with the people of Gaza, and invite audiences to campaign for an end to the siege of Gaza. The show generated considerable acclaim and controversy during its four-week run in Camden, London (see review quotes below), and we are now planning with Amos Trust to take it to the Assembly Rooms at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, the world's biggest arts festival, to continue the campaign of awareness-raising and calling for an end to the siege. Our total costs for this are just over £38,000, of which we have raised just over £16,000 thus far. Next week, from Thursday June 25th-Sunday June 28th, I shall be cycling the coast to coast route across Wales to raise funds for this project, 223 miles in 4 days from Bangor to Cardiff. My target figure is £10,000 (that's a hundred friends giving £100 each, or 200 giving £50 each etc etc). I would be very grateful if you would consider making a donation to this fund. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Amos Trust gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. So please sponsor me now! Thank you for reading this, and thank you for your support. Kind regards - Justin B. REVIEWS FOR "GO TO GAZA, DRINK THE SEA" "A deeply felt, humane and vividly expressive reaction to the current crisis." (Michael Billington, The Guardian) "One of the most honest performances I have seen for some time." (Sarah Chew, Whatsonstage.com) "A kind of alchemy that transforms the theatre into a middle Eastern war zone." (Jo Cooke, Ham & High) "Stirring, heartfelt new work from award-winning political dramatist Justin Butcher" (Frey Le Maistre, Fringe Review) "A harrowing journey into a very modern heart of darkness and a moving celebration of the human spirit." (Jonathan Lovett, The Stage) "An emotive piece, a cry of pain" (Howard Loxton, British Theatre Guide) "A haunting collaboration between writer-director Justin Butcher and the Palestinian writer and choreographer Ahmed Masoud" (Simon Wroe, Camden New Journal) "A heartfelt tribute to the people of Gaza" (Pam Hardyment, Palestine Telegraph) "By far the most powerful example I've yet seen of a border-crossing theatrical mix ... An extraordinarily versatile cast ... Profane, witty, desperate and poetic - a voice from Gaza Beach itself" (Amanda Sebestyen, Tribune) The link to Michael Billington's review in The Guardian is: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/feb/21/go-gaza-drink-sea-technis